Motorists who dash out to "top up" their tanks are not just behaving irrationally, but undermining their own interests, it says.

Many papers carry pictures of empty forecourts as garages across the country ran out of petrol.

The Daily Express described scenes of near hysteria on forecourts.

Energy future

The Independent talks of "panic at the pumps" in the run-up to the planned fuel protests.

Several of the papers support the chancellor's refusal to cut fuel duty, but also consider the future of energy.

The Times says Gordon Brown should embrace nuclear as the safest, cleanest and most efficient alternative option.

The Independent says he should use the income generated from higher fuel prices to promote a more green British economy and calls for more cycle lanes.

Lukewarm spirit

The chancellor's appearance at the TUC yesterday gives plenty of fodder for the political sketch writers.

Andrew Gimson - in the Daily Telegraph - says it would be hard to think of an occasion when a major politician was received in such a lukewarm spirit.

"Delegates were too demoralised to boo Mr Brown, but too honest to cheer him."

At the UN, the Guardian predicts that, once again the body's own expectations will not be met, and the Financial Times notes a missed opportunity.

Ashes parade

England's triumphant cricketers feature on most of the front pages.

Andrew Flintoff is shown red-eyed from a long night of celebration in the Sun and the Daily Mirror.

And there are many images of the London victory parade. David Robson - writing in the Daily Express - describes a "proud, patriotic, occasion".

But the Daily Mail lambasts the sale of the broadcasting rights for Test cricket to Sky as "Labour's great cricket sell-out".